Lakers Hang On Late to Beat Spurs
The Lakers secured a hard-fought 118-117 victory over the Spurs, extending their winning streak to five games with a late fourth-quarter rally.
Key Moments and Player Performances
The game appeared within reach after Los Angeles took control late, but a costly turnover by Marcus Smart and a foul on Jake LaRavia nearly derailed their comeback effort. Luka Dončić led the Lakers with an impressive stat line:
- 35 points
- 9 rebounds
- 13 assists
- 5 steals
- 2 blocks
Other significant contributors included Rui Hachimura, who scored 15 points shooting 5-9 from the field, and Deandre Ayton, who added 22 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
Game Flow and Challenges
The Lakers started slowly, making only a single three-pointer by Luka in the early phase. They fell behind by seven as San Antonio shot 50% from beyond the arc, while LA struggled with 14% shooting. Julian Champagnie paced the Spurs with nine points.
By the 6:16 mark of the first quarter, the Lakers were trailing by six points. Despite this, Los Angeles effectively limited Victor Wembanyama, who remained scoreless initially. The offense relied heavily on Luka, with few other Lakers scoring more than two points in the opening quarter. At the quarter’s end, the Lakers trailed by three.
Notable Second Quarter Highlights
Wembanyama opened scoring early in the second period with a bank shot. Bronny James entered the game and quickly found success, hitting a jumper on his first attempt.
"It wasn’t easy, but the Lakers rallied back in the fourth to beat the Spurs 118-117 to extend their winning streak to five."
"Late in the fourth, the Lakers looked like they were in perfect position to win, until a costly turnover from Marcus Smart and a foul call on Jake LaRavia nearly choked away a gritty comeback."
Despite early struggles, the Lakers demonstrated resilience and teamwork to clinch a narrow victory.
Summary: The Lakers overcame a slow start and tough opposition to secure a close win, highlighting Luka Dončić’s leadership and clutch performance under pressure.